DDC Budgam Visits Hokarsar wetland, Inspects progress of dredging on FC Narbal

Budgam, July 17: District Development Commissioner, Budgam Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar today conducted an extensive tour of Hokarsar wetland and inspected ongoing dredging work of Flood Spill Channel at Hajibagh, Soibugh, Shariefabad, Narbal and Sozieth.

The DDC was accompanied by Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, Rashid Yehya Naqash, ADC Budgam, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani, SE Hydraulics and Ex.En Flood Control Division Narbal G.A Beigh, Deputy Conservator of Forests Wildlife, Abul Rauf Zargar Tehsildar Budgam, Nusrat Aziz and other concerned. 

During her visit, the DDC directed concerned to take up demarcation work of Hokarsar wetland and its peripheries from Hajibagh to Sozieth in Budgam district on fast track basis. She further revealed that a joint team of Officers and officials from the departments of Wildlife Protection, Revenue, Forest and Photo Interpretation Officials will start demarcation work of Hokarsar wetland and its peripheries from tomorrow.

During inspection the DDC stressed on timely completion of all Revenue related issues and in this connection the designated nodal Officer Tehsildar Budgam Nusrat Aziz will execute the whole demarcation work as required.

She further instructed concerned to ensure complete ban on the land conversions of all types of wet land and urged upon  concerned to take prompt action in such cases against the offenders positively.

During the visit, the DDC also inspected the removing process  of dumped solid waste garbage dumped illegally along the peripheries of Hokarsar wetlands either sides of  the Soibugh road and directed the concerned to ensure all the left out dumped garbage is lifted immediately.

She directed the concerned to keep proper vigil and surveillance, besides ensure that no garbage or any other waste material is dumped in the wetland.  In such case take strong and stringent action against the offenders and impose heavy fines so that they will refrain from such exercises in future.

Later the DDC in a motor abled boat along with concerned officers visited the interiors of the Hokarsar and FSC Narbal in order to have an on spot assessment and view of pace and progress of the different works under execution relating to dredging, widening and excavation. The DDC also inspected construction work of bridge under execution of JKPCC at a cost of Rs. 20 crore at Shareefabad. Regarding the dredging and excavation, the DDC directed the concerned to speed up the execution of all related work on whole channel stretch on   war footing, for this deploy more machinery and man power. Besides submit work done report on daily basis in this regard.

During the visit, many public deputations met the DDC and raised their demands with her. The DDC gave them patient hearing and assured them that all their genuine demands would be looked into on priority.